Just a short video I was able to grab on the way back from University this evening, showing two absolutely lavish vintage Rolls Royces on the go in Mayfair, something of a rarity that harkens back to the days of the roaring 30's and 40's, when life moved a little bit slower.
In front, we have a 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith, an example of Rolls Royce's pre-war luxury engineering at work that was built between 1938 and 39 before the outbreak of World War II forced the company to discontinue production of cars in order to assist the War Effort. In 1938, a typical touring car cost £1700, which included the chassis cost of £1100. 492 chassis were made. Although chassis were only produced in 1939, cars bearing 1940 or later delivery and registration dates are not uncommon. Some cars were finished off during early 1940. Others were held in storage and sold and first registered during the war years. A few were actually bodied during wartime. In addition, 16 prewar chassis were bodied in early 1946 and duly delivered to the government. The final Wraith was delivered in 1947.
Behind is a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith, which was derived almost directly from the original pre-war model by using the 127 inch wheelbase chassis from before. These cars were built between 1946 and 1959 as the company's first products since the end of World War II, and was the last Rolls-Royce model to be delivered in "chassis only" form, in order to receive a wide variety of bespoke coachwork designed and made by a rapidly declining number of specialist coachbuilders. Most of the bodies selected used "formal" limousine designs. For customers wishing to buy their car with a standard body already fitted, the manufacturer already offered the Bentley Mark VI.
The Silver Wraith name however would see a revival in 1976 when a variant of the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow was dubbed the Silver Wraith II, a longer wheelbase version of the conventional luxury saloon primarily for the American Market.
The Wraith name on the other hand has been revived as Rolls Royce's newest product, which is a two-door sporty coupé.
Additional points of interest, note the retractable indicator panel that emerges from the body of the Silver Wraith, long before the days of conventional indicator lights. Also notice the 1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT and 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I in the background, being positioned as part of a brand launch at a nearby store.
Truly, tonight in Mayfair was really something like the 1960's!
It must be said though, the Wraith did take a few kicks to get it going, only starting up on the 5th attempt!
It's old I suppose!
Enjoy!
Негізгі бет March of the Rolls Royce Wraiths!
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